Description
Blue Sapphire Tetra
Moenkhausia rubra
The Blue Sapphire Tetra is a beautiful and relatively uncommon South American tetra, prized for its shimmering blue-green iridescence and attractive reddish tones. Under good aquarium lighting, the body develops a metallic sapphire-like sheen, while mature and well-conditioned males can display increasingly intense red colouration.
Native to Brazil, this peaceful schooling species makes a fantastic addition to planted aquariums and South American-style community setups. Their subtle metallic colours really come alive when maintained in a good-sized group.
Care Information
- Adult Size: Around 5–6 cm
- Temperature: 23–28°C
- pH: 5.5–7.0
- Tank Size: Minimum 75 litres, with larger aquariums recommended for bigger groups
- Diet: Omnivorous – quality flakes and micro pellets supplemented with frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and cyclops
- Temperament: Peaceful and social
- Grouping: Best kept in groups of at least 8, with larger groups recommended where space allows
- Compatibility: Ideal alongside other peaceful tetras, Corydoras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids and similarly sized community species
- Tank Setup: A well-planted aquarium with areas of cover and plenty of open swimming space. Darker substrates and backgrounds can help showcase their metallic colouration
Why Choose Blue Sapphire Tetras?
- Beautiful sapphire shimmer: Their blue-green iridescence creates an impressive metallic appearance.
- Red colour development: Mature, well-conditioned fish can develop attractive reddish tones, particularly males.
- Excellent schooling species: A larger group creates an impressive display of colour and movement.
- Peaceful temperament: Well suited to carefully selected community aquariums.
- Perfect for planted tanks: Their metallic colours contrast beautifully against lush green planting.
- Something unusual: A much less commonly encountered species than many traditional aquarium tetras.
The Blue Sapphire Tetra is an outstanding choice for aquarists looking for something peaceful, unusual and beautifully coloured. Once settled into a mature planted aquarium, their combination of shimmering sapphire tones and flashes of red creates a spectacular display.
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